The Winter solstice for 2018 is on Friday, c 21 which is the first day of winter. The Sun is directly overhead of the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere during the December Solstice. The December Solstice occurs when the Sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.4 degrees. In other words, when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun.
Even though the cold weather is upon us, pests can still be present.
“Cockroaches, termites and spiders could be crawling underfoot during the winter. These pests are seeking shelter from the cold, and unfortunately our warm homes seem cozy to them too. It is important to take preventative measures to keep pests out because they can cause more hazards than just cobwebs in the corner. Certain spiders can bite, causing serious side effects, and cockroaches can be a trigger for asthma and allergies,” reports Pest World.
Tips on Pest Proofing
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has several tips that every homeowner can use to help prevent these winter pests from gaining access to the home.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your home to help prevent pests from getting inside. Be sure to check the areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home. Pests can make their nests in wood piles and easily gain access to your home if the pile is nearby.
- Pests can hide in clutter, so keep storage areas well organized, and store boxes off of the floor.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. Extra attention should be paid to kitchens and bathrooms as these areas are particularly vulnerable to cockroach infestations.
- Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens in windows.
- Screen vents to chimneys. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
Protecting our homes during Winter brings enough worry about home damage with wind, snow and frost. These tips will help reduce your home being invaded by pests. Your home will be a healthier place to host holiday parties and spend time with family without these pests in your home.
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